Screening for chronic kidney disease in rural Malawi: results from a diabetic clinic

Patients with diabetes are at high risk of developing renal insufficiency and chronic kidney disease (CKD). As a result, screening for CKD is essential in diabetic patients as part of their care. This study investigated the prevalence of renal insufficiency, CKD, and correlates of CKD in diabetic patients attending Integrated Chronic Care Clinics in Neno District, Malawi.

Of 203 diabetic patients, 148 (73%) were screened for CKD by measurement of serum creatinine and urinary protein between April 2016 and January 2019. 39.2% (n = 58) of the patients had abnormal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as estimated by CKD Epidemiology Collaboration formula and/or ≥ 2+ urine protein. 13.5% (95% CI 8.4-20.0%, 20/148) of the patients had renal insufficiency based on eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m². 8.8% (95% CI 4.8-14.6%, 13/148) had CKD based on eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m² measured twice at least 3 months apart. In bivariate analysis, CKD was associated with older age, high systolic blood pressure and lower fasting blood sugar. Despite the low sample size, the study showed a moderately high prevalence of renal insufficiency and CKD in a rural cohort of diabetic patients in Malawi.